Shirt collar support and methods therefor

ABSTRACT

Single piece and multi-piece collar support/structure devices utilize durable and flexible materials and are configured to support and aid in maintaining structure, shape, and form throughout a shirt collar, as well reducing time for pressing. The design and location of collar support/structure devices is to be formfitting and sewn inside the fabrics and seams of the collar in a pocket. Collar support/structure devices are disposed into collars of garments as non-removable devices in permanently sealed pockets, and are also disposed into collars of garments as removable devices in pockets that are not permanently sealed. Collar support/structure devices substantially conform to shapes of collars in the pockets, and vary in thickness in proportion to material of the collars. Single piece devices optionally include portions having increased flexibility via cut-outs, thinner material, and woven inserts. Methods of forming articles of clothing having collar support/structure devices are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/773,491 (Atty. Docket No. K03.00010000) entitled “SHIRT COLLARSUPPORT AND METHODS THEREFOR,” and filed on Nov. 30, 2018, the entiretyof which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Shirt collars in general lack support throughout to maintain structure,shape, and form of a pressed appearance. With wear, a shirt collarinevitably and easily begins to lose support, shape, and form, causingunwanted effects on the collar such as wrinkling, curling, widening,spreading, or an uneven distribution.

Previous solutions most commonly used on shirt collars are designed tohold form of only the front tips of a collar (e.g., collar stays) andlack providing support elsewhere. Previous solutions less commonly usedon shirt collars are designed to provide shape, form, or stabilizationthroughout the entire collar but are all external devices, some beingmulti-piece, and require manual insertion at the inside the collar andalignment prior to each wear.

A need exists for an internal collar support/structure device sewn orotherwise disposed inside the fabrics and seams of a collar/collar leafat the manufacturer, with the device providing support and aiding inmaintaining structure, shape, and form throughout a shirt collar, aswell as reducing time for pressing.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In embodiments, a collar support device may be either a single piece ormulti-piece device to be sewn or disposed in between the fabrics thatmakeup a collar/collar leaf. Conceptually, these devices may beconfigured as non-removable and to be sewn into the collar at themanufacturer as an additional step in the construction of a shirt, orany other wearable garment having a collar, or may beremovable/replaceable in the pockets of the collar/collar leaf in whichthey are disposed. Collar support devices may be used in variousapplications to support and aid in maintaining structure, shape, and/orform throughout a collar/collar leaf, as well reducing time for pressingsuch as after laundering or wear. Collar support devices are applicableto any shirt or costume or wearable garment with a collar for any genderas well as for any style.

Collar support devices may be designed to be either of the followingexamples. First, a single piece device may be formfitting and may beplaced or disposed throughout the entirety or majority of the fabricsand/or seams of a collar/collar leaf with or without additional ease offolding flexibility which may be targeted in the two back curving areasof the collar/collar leaf. Conceptually, this additional ease of foldingflexibility in targeted areas may be achieved with the materialscomposition of which the device is made or by precision holes cut-out ofthe material or a weaving material composition. The cut-outs or weavingsmay be of any geometrical shape and/or orientation. Second, amulti-piece device may be formfitting to be placed throughout themajority of the fabrics and/or seams of a collar/collar leaf withadditional ease of folding flexibility targeted in the two back curvingareas of the collar/collar leaf. Conceptually, this additional ease offolding flexibility in targeted areas may be achieved by excludingplacement of device body portions in these areas to leave gaps.

Further features and advantages, as well as the structure and operationof various examples, are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings. It is noted that the ideas and techniques are notlimited to the specific examples described herein. Such examples arepresented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional exampleswill be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present applicationand, together with the description, further serve to explain theprinciples of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in thepertinent art to make and use the embodiments.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of the single piece collar supportdevice shaped to the general shape of an example embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of the single piece collar supportdevice shaped to the general shape of an example embodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates an aerial view of the single piece collar supportdevice shaped to the general shape of an example embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a collared shirt folded upward. Thesingle piece collar support device is illustrated by shaded coloring andplaced throughout the general region where the device would be sewn intothe fabrics of the collar according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates a back view of a collared shirt folded upward. Thesingle piece collar support device is illustrated by shaded coloring andplaced throughout the general region where the device would be sewn intothe fabrics of the collar according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of a collared shirt folded upward. Thesingle piece collar support device is illustrated by shaded coloring andplaced throughout the general region where the device would be sewn intothe fabrics of the collar according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of the multi-piece collar support deviceshaped to the general shape of an example embodiment. The shape of thedevice is illustrated similarly to a collar being folded upward.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the multi-piece collar supportdevice shaped to the general shape of an example embodiment. The shapeof the device is illustrated similarly to a collar being folded upward.

FIG. 3C illustrates an aerial view of the multi-piece collar supportdevice shaped to the general shape of an example embodiment. The shapeof the device is illustrated similarly to a collar being folded upward.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a collared shirt folded upward. Themulti-piece collar support device is illustrated by shaded coloring andplaced throughout the general regions where the device would be sewninto the fabrics of the collar according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a back view of a collared shirt folded upward. Themulti-piece collar support device is illustrated by shaded coloring andplaced throughout the general regions where the device would be sewninto the fabrics of the collar according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4C illustrates a front view of a collared shirt folded upward. Themulti-piece collar support device is illustrated by shaded coloring andplaced throughout the general regions where the device would be sewninto the fabrics of the collar according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5A illustrates a formation of a collar from two separate portionsof material, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5B illustrates a formation of a collar from two conjoined portionsof material, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates disposing of a collar support device with respect toan initially-formed pocket at one edge of a collar, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 6B illustrates disposing of a collar support device with respect toan initially-formed pocket at another edge of a collar, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates disposing of a collar support device with respect toan initially-formed pocket at one edge of a collar, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates disposing of a collar support device with respect toan initially-formed pocket at another edge of a collar, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a disposed collar support device with respect to acompletely-formed pocket of a collar of an article of clothing,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a disposed collar support device with respect to acompletely-formed pocket of a collar of an article of clothing,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart for of forming an article of clothingwith a collar support device, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates plots of a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) in the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode for asilicone-based collar support device material, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates plots of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) fora silicone-based collar support device material, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 13 shows plots of a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for asilicone-based collar support device material, according to an exampleembodiment.

The features and advantages of embodiments will become more apparentfrom the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunctionwith the drawings, in which like reference characters identifycorresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like referencenumbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/orstructurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element firstappears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the correspondingreference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below are more detailed conceptual descriptions and illustrativeembodiments of collar support/structure devices which are not intendedto limit the scope of the embodiments herein. The summarized conceptsmentioned above, and in greater detail below, may be implemented in anynumber of ways, and the disclosed concepts should not be and are not tobe limited to any particular manner of implementation. Provided examplesof implementations and applications are for illustrative purposes, andthe scope of the present patent application is not limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but also encompasses combinations of thedisclosed embodiments, as well as modifications to the disclosedembodiments.

I. Introduction

The following detailed description discloses numerous embodiments. Thescope of the present patent application is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but also encompasses combinations of the disclosedembodiments, as well as modifications to the disclosed embodiments.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

In the discussion, unless otherwise stated, adjectives such as“substantially,” “approximately,” and “about” modifying a condition orrelationship characteristic of a feature or features of an embodiment ofthe disclosure, are understood to mean that the condition orcharacteristic is defined to be within tolerances that are acceptablefor operation of the embodiment for an application for which it isintended.

Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial descriptions (e.g.,“above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,”“vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) used herein are for purposes ofillustration only, and that practical implementations of the structuresand drawings described herein can be spatially arranged in anyorientation or manner. Additionally, the drawings may not be provided toscale, and orientations or organization of elements of the drawings mayvary in embodiments.

Numerous exemplary embodiments are described as follows. It is notedthat any section/subsection headings provided herein are not intended tobe limiting. Embodiments are described throughout this document, and anytype of embodiment may be included under any section/subsection.Furthermore, embodiments disclosed in any section/subsection may becombined with any other embodiments described in the samesection/subsection and/or a different section/subsection in any manner.

Section II below describes example embodiments for collarsupport/structure devices. Section III below describes additionalexamples and advantages, and Section IV provides some concludingremarks.

II. Example Embodiments for Collar Support/Structure Devices

Single piece and multi-piece collar support/structure devices utilizedurable and flexible materials and are configured to support and aid inmaintaining structure, shape, and form throughout a shirt collar, aswell reducing time for pressing. The design and location of collarsupport/structure devices may be formfitting and sewn inside the fabricsand seams of the collar in a pocket. Collar support/structure devicesare disposed (e.g., placed) into collars of garments as non-removabledevices in permanently sealed pockets, and are also disposed intocollars of garments as removable devices in pockets that are notpermanently sealed. Collar support/structure devices may be configuredto substantially conform to shapes of collars in the pockets, and mayvary in thickness in proportion to material of the collars. Single piecedevices optionally include portions having increased flexibility viacut-outs, thinner material, and woven inserts. Methods of formingarticles of clothing having collar support/structure devices are alsoperformed, according to embodiments herein.

A collar, or collar leaf, as described, is typically worn for a garmentas folded down and is separate from the base, or stand (when a base orstand is part of the garment), which rises up from the garment andsupports the collar/collar leaf and attaches the collar/collar leaf tothe garment. As a non-limiting, illustrative example, the collar/collarleaf may be popped up to rise above the base or stand so that a tie maybe tied for wearing, and after the knot of the tie is formed, thecollar/collar leaf is then folded down to cover the portion of the tiethat encircles the neck of the wearer around the base or stand.Embodiments herein are directed to collar support/structure devicesdisposed into collars/collar leaves for wearable garments. That is, theembodiments described provide for support, continuity of form, andconsistency in structure for collars/collar leaves while still allowingenough flexibility to avoid creasing when a garment is folded or hangingand discomfort during garment wear.

Collar support/structure devices described for the embodiments hereinmay be composed of a flexible and/or malleable material or compositionof materials such as but not limited to non-metallic, semi-metallic,interfacing mesh, interfacing weaving, plastic, paper, fabric,poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), silicone, polyurethane, rubber, wire,memory, synthetic, organic, composite, etc., including any combinationof materials. Both the body of the device and cut-outs or weavingsmentioned in above Summary may take any geometric formfitting shapes,such as but not limited to the illustrations and descriptions below aswell as rectangular, angled, hemispherical, circular, horizontal,vertical, elliptical, or some combination thereof. The device body andcut-outs or weavings would be durable enough to withstand continual useof washes, wears, and pressings. Device bodies/portions and cut-outs orweavings may comprise a plurality of dimensions in thickness, length,and width of any size in various embodiments. Manufacturing andapplication of specific collars/collar leaves may dictate size anddimensions for best characteristics of formfitting, aesthetics, anddurability.

While collar support/structure devices are described herein as collarsupport, this should be understood as a naming convention devices forbrevity and consistency of description. That is, collar support devicesmay be synonymous with collar structure devices.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a single piece collar support device100A shaped to the general shape of an example embodiment. The shape ofsingle piece collar support device 100A is illustrated similarly to acurved collar/collar leaf folded upward from a base or stand as would beattached to a wearable garment, such as but without limitation, acollar/collar leaf of a dress shirt, a blouse, etc.

Single piece collar support device 100A includes a device body 102.Device body 102 may be a contiguous body of material(s) that form ashape substantially corresponding to a collar leaf that attaches to abase/stand of a garment. Device body 102 includes a bottom edge 104, atop edge 106, a right front edge 108, and a left front edge 110.

As noted above, device body 102 may be composed of a flexible materialor composition of materials such as but not limited to non-metallic,semi-metallic, interfacing mesh, interfacing weaving, plastic, paper,fabric, silicon-based material(s), polyurethane, rubber, wire, memory,synthetic, organic, composite, etc., including any combination ofmaterials. In embodiments, materials comprising device body 102 may beselected for, without limitation, one or more of durability,flexibility, the ability to maintain or return to an original form, aresistance to creasing, temperature tolerances (e.g., high heat duringpressing of garments), ease of formation for shapes in desireddimensions, and/or the like. For example, a material, such as asilicon-based material, that combines each of these characteristics maycomprise device body 102 in whole or in part. Additionally, device body102 may be formed according to custom molding (e.g., via injectionmolding), form cutting from material sheets, etc.

As illustrated, device body 102 also includes horizontal cut-outs 112 aand horizontal cut-outs 112 b. In accordance with some embodiments,horizontal cut-outs 112 a and/or horizontal cut-outs 112 b may beconfigured to provide additional collar folding flexibility and supportin the areas of their locations, such as is illustrated in the two backcurving areas of FIG. 1A. For instance, and without limitation, foldedor hanging garments with collars may benefit from extra flexibility inareas shown for horizontal cut-outs 112 a and horizontal cut-outs 112 bin FIG. 1A where collars may be deformed when garments are folded orwhere collars may be otherwise stressed from hangars while hanging. Inembodiments, horizontal cut-outs 112 a and/or horizontal cut-outs 112 bmay be formed by cutting or stamping, while in other embodiments,horizontal cut-outs 112 a and/or horizontal cut-outs 112 b may representempty spaces created by forms used to create device body 102.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of a single piece collar support device100B, of an example embodiment, which may correspond to an embodiment ofsingle piece collar support device 100A. The shape of single piececollar support device 100B is also illustrated similarly to a curvedcollar/collar leaf folded upward from a base or stand as would beattached to a wearable garment, as also illustrated for single piececollar support device 100A described above.

Single piece collar support device 100B includes device body 102 of FIG.1A for illustrative consistency. As noted above, device body 102 may bea contiguous body of material(s) that form a shape substantiallycorresponding to a collar leaf that attaches to a base/stand, andincludes bottom edge 104, top edge 106, right front edge 108, and leftfront edge 110. As described for FIG. 1A, device body 102 may becomposed of a flexible material or composition of materials.

Also exemplarily illustrated for single piece collar support device 100Bin FIG. 1B are horizontal cut-outs 112 a and/or horizontal cut-outs 112b located at the two back curving areas of device body 102 which, inaccordance with embodiments, may provide additional collar leaf foldingflexibility and support in these areas.

In some embodiments, horizontal cut-outs 112 a and/or horizontalcut-outs 112 b may comprise at least one cut-out portion 114 which maybe mesh or weavings of material in or attached to device body 102. Whilefor horizontal cut-outs 112 a and horizontal cut-outs 112 b six cut-outportions 114 each are illustrated in a horizontal and rectangular layoutaccording to the illustrated embodiment, different numbers, sizes,locations, and shapes are contemplated herein for other embodiments.

FIG. 1C illustrates a view from above a single piece collar supportdevice 100C of an example embodiment, which may correspond to anembodiment of single piece collar support device 100A and/or singlepiece collar support device 100B. The shape of the single piece collarsupport device 100C is also illustrated similarly to a curvedcollar/collar leaf folded upward from a base or stand as would beattached to a wearable garment.

Single piece collar support device 100C includes device body 102 of FIG.1A (and FIG. 1B) for illustrative consistency. As noted above, devicebody 102 may be a contiguous body of material(s) that form a shapesubstantially corresponding to a collar leaf that attaches to abase/stand, and includes bottom edge 104, top edge 106, right front edge108, and left front edge 110. As described for FIGS. 1A and 1B, devicebody 102 may be composed of a flexible material or composition ofmaterials. Also illustrated in FIG. 1C are horizontal cut-outs 112 a andhorizontal cut-outs 112 b, as described above.

FIG. 1C also illustrates a material thickness 116 of device body 102. Inembodiments, material thickness 116 may be substantially uniformthroughout contiguous portions of device body 102, for device bodies 102with or without horizontal cut-outs 112 a and horizontal cut-outs 112 b.In other embodiments, material thickness 116 may vary along device body102. For example, a first thickness value for material thickness 116 maybe used beginning at front right edge 108 and front left edge 110 wherethe thickness value changes along device body 102 as a center backportion 118 is approached. In some example, the material thickness valuemay decrease as center back portion 118 is approached, or vice versa. Insome embodiments, the thickness value of material thickness 116 mayvary, or may also vary, between bottom edge 104 and top edge 106.

Similarly, the thickness value for material thickness 118 may varyaccording to the material of the garment and/or collar to which it isapplied. In embodiments, device body 102 may have material thickness 116that is proportional to a fabric thickness of a fabric of thecollar/collar leaf according to a proportion factor. As an illustrative,non-limiting example, a relatively thicker collar/collar leaf fabric maybe paired with a correspondingly thicker device body 102, while arelatively thinner fabric collar/collar leaf may be paired with acorrespondingly thinner device body 102.

It should be understood that in cases for which horizontal cut-outs 112a and horizontal cut-outs 112 b are present as recessed portions, e.g.,already having material thickness less than device body 102, suchrecessed portions may be correspondingly adjusted based on theproportion factor, or may not be correspondingly adjusted.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C will now be described. FIG. 2A illustrates anexample of application for an article of clothing 200A having a collarsupport device disposed therein, according to one embodiment. Thisillustration of article of clothing 200A exemplarily shows a side viewof a collar/collar leaf 204, of a garment 202, which is folded upwardfrom a base 206.

In the illustrated embodiment, a single piece collar support device(i.e., single piece collar support device 100A, 100B, and/or 100C asshown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and/or 1C, respectively) is shown as being placedor disposed throughout the general region where the device would be sewninto the fabrics of collar/collar leaf 204 of garment 202 andformfitting or approximately formfitting to seams 212 of collar/collarleaf 204 above the thicker fabric of base 206. FIG. 2A is shown as asee-through view through the fabrics of garment 202, e.g., atcollar/collar leaf 204, illustrating for descriptive purposes theentirety of the single piece collar support device (100A, 100B, 100C)including the exemplary cut-out portions (e.g., horizontal cut-outs 112a and/or horizontal cut-outs 112 b described above).

Seams 212 of collar/collar leaf 204 may be at the edge of the fabricthat comprises collar/collar leaf 204, or approximately at the edge, aswould be understood by one of skill in the relevant art(s). Forinstance, seams 212 may be made at a distance 208, e.g., a minimal orapproximately minimal distance, from a front edge of collar/collar leaf204 (e.g., right front edge 108, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C) anddistance 210, e.g., a minimal or approximately minimal distance, from abottom edge of collar/collar leaf 204 (e.g., bottom edge 104, as shownin FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C) to substantially conform, in a formfittingmanner, to the single piece collar support device (100A, 100B, 100C), asillustrated in FIG. 2A. Seams 212 may be configured to form a pocketinto which the single piece collar support device is placed or disposed.In embodiments, as described in further detail below, one or more ofseams 212 may be a fold or crease in the fabric of collar/collar leaf204 to form a portion of the pocket into which the single piece collarsupport device is placed or disposed without departing from the spiritand scope of the embodiments described herein.

In some embodiments, seams 212 may be formed at/through the edges of thesingle piece collar support device (100A, 100B, 100C) in addition to thefabric of collar/collar leaf 204 of garment 202.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of application for an article of clothing200B having a single piece collar support device (e.g., 100A, 100B,100C) disposed therein, according to one embodiment. Article of clothing200B may be an embodiment of article of clothing 200A of FIG. 2A. Theillustration of article of clothing 200B exemplarily shows a back viewof collar/collar leaf 204, of garment 202, which is folded upward frombase 206.

In the illustrated embodiment, the single piece collar support device(100A, 100B, 100C) is shown as being placed or disposed throughout thegeneral region where the device would be sewn into the fabrics ofcollar/collar leaf 204 of garment 202 and formfitting or approximatelyformfitting to seams 212 of collar/collar leaf 204 above the thickerfabric of base 206. FIG. 2B is shown as a see-through view through thefabrics of garment 202, e.g., at collar/collar leaf 204, illustratingfor descriptive purposes the entirety of the single piece collar supportdevice (100A, 100B, 100C) including the exemplary cut-out portions(e.g., horizontal cut-outs 112 a and/or horizontal cut-outs 112 bdescribed above).

As shown, the single piece collar support device (100A, 100B, 100C)conforms to substantially the entire length of the back of collar/collarleaf 204, including the back portion thereof illustrated in FIG. 2B forgarment 202.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example of application for an article of clothing200C having a single piece collar support device (e.g., 100A, 100B,100C) disposed therein, according to one embodiment. Article of clothing200C may be an embodiment of article of clothing 200A of FIG. 2A and/orarticle of clothing 200B of FIG. 2B. The illustration of article ofclothing 200B exemplarily shows a front view of collar/collar leaf 204,of garment 202, which is folded upward from base 206.

In the illustrated embodiment, the single piece collar support device(100A, 100B, 100C) is shown as being placed or disposed throughout thegeneral region where the device would be sewn into the fabrics ofcollar/collar leaf 204 of garment 202 and formfitting or approximatelyformfitting to seams 212 of collar/collar leaf 204 above the thickerfabric of base 206. FIG. 2C is shown as a see-through view through thefabrics of garment 202, e.g., at collar/collar leaf 204, illustratingfor descriptive purposes the entirety of the single piece collar supportdevice (100A, 100B, 100C) including the exemplary cut-out portions(e.g., horizontal cut-outs 112 a and/or horizontal cut-outs 112 bdescribed above).

As shown, the single piece collar support device (100A, 100B, 100C)conforms to substantially the entire lengths of the front portions ofcollar/collar leaf 204, including the left front and right frontportions thereof illustrated in FIG. 2B for garment 202.

It should be noted that the single piece collar support device (100A,100B, 100C) shown for garment 202 in FIGS. 2A-2C conforms substantially,or approximately, to collar/collar leaf 204 in size and shape across thelongitudinal lengths and the widths of collar/collar leaf 204. Inembodiments, such conformance includes conforming, or substantiallyconforming, to the front corners of collar/collar leaf 204 in the pocketformed therein by seams 212.

Multi-piece collar support devices are now described. For example, FIG.3A illustrates a side view of a multi-piece collar support device 300Ashaped to the general shape of an example embodiment. The shape ofmulti-piece collar support device 300A is illustrated similarly to acurved collar/collar leaf folded upward from a base or stand as would beattached to a wearable garment, such as but without limitation, acollar/collar leaf of a dress shirt, a blouse, etc.

Multi-piece collar support device 300A includes a device body comprisedof multiple body portions: body portion 302, body portion 304, and bodyportion 306 (collectively “body portions 302, 304, 306”). Body portions302, 304, 306 may form a noncontiguous body of material(s) that form ashape substantially corresponding to a collar leaf that attaches to abase/stand of a garment. Body portion 302 includes a bottom edge 310, atop edge 308, a front edge 312, and a gap edge 314. Similarly, bodyportion 304 is shown as having a bottom edge, a top edge, a front edge,and a gap edge (not labeled for illustrative clarity and brevity) wherethis gap edge borders a gap (or space) between body portion 302 and bodyportion 306. In embodiments, body portion 304 may be a mirror image ofbody portion 302 where a gap edge thereof borders a gap (or space)between body portion 304 and body portion 306; body portion 302 and bodyportion 304 may be front body portions for illustrative purposes andconceptualization of multi-piece collar support device 300A. Forillustrative purposes and conceptualization, body portion 306 may be aback body portion that includes a bottom edge and a top edge, as well asa left gap edge and a right gap edge (not labeled for brevity andillustrative clarity) which border gaps between body portion 306, andbody portion 302 and body portion 304.

Multi-piece collar support device 300A as shown is a three-piece devicethat includes two gaps: a right gap 316 a and a left gap 316 b. Rightgap 316 a and left gap 316 b may be located at portions of acollar/collar leaf needing additional flexibility during wear of agarment or during storage of the garment. With reference to theembodiments described above for FIGS. 1A-1C and FIGS. 2A-2C, right gap316 a and left gap 316 b may be similarly located as horizontal cut-outs112 a and horizontal cut-outs 112 b, and may be used for multi-piececollar support devices in lieu of cut-out portions.

For instance, in multi-piece collar support device 300A, right gap 316 aand left gap 316 b may be configured to provide additional collarfolding flexibility in the areas of their locations, such as isillustrated in the two back curving areas of FIG. 3A which right gap 316a and left gap 316 b span. For instance, and without limitation, foldedor hanging garments with collars may benefit from extra flexibility inareas shown for right gap 316 a and left gap 316 b in FIG. 3A wherecollars may be deformed when garments are folded or where collars may beotherwise stressed from hangars while hanging.

In embodiments, each, or one or more, of body portions 302, 304, 306 maycomprise a material(s) as similarly described above for device body 102.For instance, body portions 302, 304, 306 may be composed of a flexiblematerial or composition of materials such as but not limited tonon-metallic, semi-metallic, interfacing mesh, interfacing weaving,plastic, paper, fabric, silicon-based material(s), polyurethane, rubber,wire, memory, synthetic, organic, composite, etc., including anycombination of materials. Likewise, in embodiments, materials comprisingbody portions 302, 304, 306 may be selected for, without limitation, oneor more of durability, flexibility, the ability to maintain or return toan original form, a resistance to creasing, temperature tolerances(e.g., high heat during pressing of garments), ease of formation forshapes in desired dimensions, and/or the like. For example, a material,such as a silicon-based material, that combines each of thesecharacteristics may comprise body portions 302, 304, 306 in whole or inpart. Additionally, body portions 302, 304, 306 may be formed accordingto custom molding (e.g., via injection molding), form cutting frommaterial sheets, etc.

While exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3A as a multi-piece collar supportdevice comprising three pieces, multi-piece collar support device 300Ais not so limited and any number of pieces, e.g., greater than two, maybe used in various embodiments, where the number of gaps therebetween isequal to the number of pieces plus one. It is also contemplated hereinthat right gap 316 a and left gap 316 b are of approximately equal sizebetween their respective, adjacent body portions 302, 304, 306.Moreover, the combined longitudinal length of body portions 302, 304,306, right gap 316 a, and left gap 316 b of multi-piece collar supportdevice 300A is approximately equal to a longitudinal length of acollar/collar leaf in which multi-piece collar support device 300A isplaced/disposed, thereby providing support for shape and structure ofsuch a collar/collar leaf while also providing flexibility thereto.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of a multi-piece collar support device300B, of an example embodiment, which may correspond to an embodiment ofmulti-piece collar support device 300A. The shape of multi-piece collarsupport device 300B is also illustrated similarly to a curvedcollar/collar leaf folded upward from a base or stand as would beattached to a wearable garment, as also illustrated for multi-piececollar support device 300A described above.

Multi-piece collar support device 300B includes body portions 302, 304,306 of FIG. 3A for illustrative consistency. As noted above, bodyportions 302, 304, 306 may be a non-contiguous body of material(s) thatform a shape substantially corresponding to a collar leaf that attachesto a base/stand, and may include edges as described for body portions302, 304, 306 for FIG. 3A. Likewise, body portions 302, 304, 306 may becomposed of a flexible material or composition of materials as noted forFIG. 3A.

Also exemplarily illustrated for multi-piece collar support device 300Bin FIG. 3B are right gap 316 a and left gap 316 b located at the twoback curving areas between body portions 302, 304, 306 which, inaccordance with embodiments, may provide additional collar/collar leaffolding flexibility in these areas while also allowing body portions302, 304, 306 to provide support substantially throughout thecollar/collar leaf.

FIG. 3C illustrates a view from above a multi-piece collar supportdevice 300C of an example embodiment, which may correspond to anembodiment of multi-piece collar support device 300A and/or multi-piececollar support device 300B. The shape of multi-piece collar supportdevice 300C is also illustrated similarly to a curved collar/collar leaffolded upward from a base or stand as would be attached to a wearablegarment.

Multi-piece collar support device 300C includes body portions 302, 304,306 (of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B) for illustrative consistency. As notedabove, body portions 302, 304, 306 may be a non-contiguous body ofmaterial(s) that form a shape substantially corresponding to a collarleaf that attaches to a base/stand, and may include edges as describedfor body portions 302, 304, 306 for FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. Likewise, bodyportions 302, 304, 306 may be composed of a flexible material orcomposition of materials as noted for FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3C also illustrates a material thickness 318 of device bodyportions 302, 304, 306. In embodiments, material thickness 318 may besubstantially uniform throughout the non-contiguous body portions 302,304, 306. In other embodiments, material thickness 318 may vary alongbody portions 302, 304, 306. For example, a first thickness value formaterial thickness 318 may be used beginning at front right edge 312 ofbody portion 302 and the corresponding front left edge of body portion304 where the thickness value changes along these device body portionsas their respective gap edges are approached. In some examples, thematerial thickness value may decrease from front to back, or vice versa,and the material thickness 318 may uniformly progress also through bodyportion 306 as a center back portion 320 of body portion 306 isapproached. In some embodiments, the thickness value of materialthickness 318 may vary between bottom edges and top edges of bodyportions 302, 304, 306.

Similarly, the thickness value for material thickness 318 may varyaccording to the material of the garment and/or collar to which it isapplied. In embodiments, body portions 302, 304, 306 may have materialthickness 318 that is proportional to a fabric thickness of a fabric ofthe collar/collar leaf according to a proportion factor. As anillustrative, non-limiting example, a relatively thicker collar/collarleaf fabric may be paired with correspondingly thicker body portions302, 304, 306, while a relatively thinner fabric collar/collar leaf maybe paired with correspondingly thinner body portions 302, 304, 306.

Embodiments herein also contemplate different sizes for right gap 316 aand left gap 316 b. For instance, embodiments may require that right gap316 a and left gap 316 b be of a size such that body portions 302, 304,306 do not touch during wear and/or storage of a garment in which bodyportions 302, 304, 306 are placed/disposed in a collar/collar leafthereof. In some embodiments, a size for right gap 316 a and left gap316 b may be used such that portions of the collar/collar leafcorresponding thereto are large enough that the flexing or deforming ofthe collar/collar leaf is not limited to a specific, relatively small orlocalized area (which may cause undue stress or creasing of thecollar/collar leaf). However, a gap size may also be selected as smallenough that the support for and structure of the collar/collar leaf isnot compromised. For instance, a range of sizes for right gap 316 a andleft gap 316 b may be between approximately 0.75 inches and 1.5 inches,although other sizes are also contemplated herein. Furthermore, sizesfor right gap 316 a and left gap 316 b may vary based on collar/collarleaf length, thickness of material(s) of the collar/collar leaf,thickness of material(s) of body portions 302, 304, 306, and/or thelike. While not so limited, embodiments herein also contemplate thatsizes for right gap 316 a and left gap 316 b are approximately equal.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C will now be described. FIG. 4A illustrates anexample of application for an article of clothing 400A having a collarsupport device disposed therein, according to one embodiment. Thisillustration of article of clothing 400A exemplarily shows a side viewof a collar/collar leaf 404, of a garment 402, which is folded upwardfrom a base 406.

In the illustrated embodiment, a multi-piece collar support device(i.e., multi-piece collar support device 300A, 300B, and/or 300C asshown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and/or 3C, respectively) is shown as being placedor disposed substantially throughout the general regions where thedevice would be sewn into the fabrics of collar/collar leaf 404 ofgarment 402 and formfitting or approximately formfitting to seams 412 ofcollar/collar leaf 404 above the thicker fabric of base 406. FIG. 4A isshown as a see-through view through the fabrics of garment 402, e.g., atcollar/collar leaf 404, illustrating for descriptive purposes theentirety of the multi-piece collar support device (300A, 300B, 300C)including the exemplary gaps between the body portions thereof (e.g.,right gap 316 a and left gap 316 b described above).

Seams 412 of collar/collar leaf 404 may be at the edges of the fabricthat comprises collar/collar leaf 404, or approximately at the edges, aswould be understood by one of skill in the relevant art(s). Forinstance, seams 412 may be made at a distance 408, e.g., a minimal orapproximately minimal distance, from a front edge of collar/collar leaf404 and distance 410, e.g., a minimal or approximately minimal distance,from a bottom edge of collar/collar leaf 204 to substantially conform,in a formfitting manner, to the multi-piece collar support device (300A,300B, 300C), as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Additionally, seams 412 may beformed along gap edges of body portions 302, 304, 306 in someembodiments. Seams 412 may be configured to form a pocket(s) into whichthe multi-piece collar support device is placed or disposed. Inembodiments, as described in further detail below, one or more of seams412 may be a fold or crease in the fabric of collar/collar leaf 404 toform a portion of the pocket(s) into which the multi-piece collarsupport device is placed or disposed without departing from the spiritand scope of the embodiments described herein. For instance, a pocketfor each body portion of a multi-piece collar support device may beformed into which corresponding body portions are placed or disposed (asshown in FIG. 4A), or a single pocket may be formed into which each bodyportion of the multi-piece collar support device is placed or disposed.In embodiments for a single pocket, ones of seams 412 that runvertically between top and bottom edges of collar/collar leaf 404 alongthe gap edges of body portions 302, 304, 306 and the edges of right gap316 a and left gap 316 b may not be formed.

In some embodiments, seams 412 may be formed at/through the edges ofmulti-piece collar support device (300A, 300B, 300C), e.g., at/throughone or more of body portions 302, 304, 306, in addition to the fabric ofcollar/collar leaf 204 of garment 402.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example of application for an article of clothing400B having a multi-piece collar support device (e.g., 300A, 300B, 300C)disposed therein, according to one embodiment. Article of clothing 400Bmay be an embodiment of article of clothing 400A of FIG. 4A. Theillustration of article of clothing 400B exemplarily shows a back viewof collar/collar leaf 404, of garment 402, which is folded upward frombase 406.

In the illustrated embodiment, the single piece collar support device(300A, 300B, 300C) is shown as being placed or disposed throughout thegeneral regions where the device would be sewn into the fabrics ofcollar/collar leaf 404 of garment 402 and formfitting or approximatelyformfitting to seams 412 of collar/collar leaf 404 above the thickerfabric of base 406. FIG. 4B is shown as a see-through view through thefabrics of garment 402, e.g., at collar/collar leaf 404, illustratingfor descriptive purposes the entirety of the multi-piece collar supportdevice (300A, 300B, 300C) including the exemplary gaps between the bodyportions thereof (e.g., right gap 316 a and left gap 316 b describedabove).

As shown, the multi-piece collar support device (300A, 300B, 300C)conforms to substantially the entire length of the back of collar/collarleaf 304, including the back portion thereof illustrated in FIG. 4B forgarment 402.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example of application for an article of clothing400C having a multi-piece collar support device (e.g., 300A, 300B, 300C)disposed therein, according to one embodiment. Article of clothing 400Cmay be an embodiment of article of clothing 400A of FIG. 4A and/orarticle of clothing 400B of FIG. 4B. The illustration of article ofclothing 400B exemplarily shows a front view of collar/collar leaf 404,of garment 402, which is folded upward from base 406.

In the illustrated embodiment, the multi-piece collar support device(300A, 300B, 300C) is shown as being placed or disposed throughout thegeneral regions where the device would be sewn into the fabrics ofcollar/collar leaf 404 of garment 402 and formfitting or approximatelyformfitting to seams 412 of collar/collar leaf 404 above the thickerfabric of base 406. FIG. 4C is shown as a see-through view through thefabrics of garment 402, e.g., at collar/collar leaf 404, illustratingfor descriptive purposes the entirety of the single piece collar supportdevice (300A, 300B, 300C) including the exemplary gaps (e.g., right gap316 a and left gap 316 b described above).

As shown, the a multi-piece collar support device (300A, 300B, 300C)conforms to substantially the entire lengths of the front portions ofcollar/collar leaf 404, including the left front and right frontportions thereof illustrated in FIG. 4B for garment 402.

It should be noted that the a multi-piece collar support device (300A,300B, 300C) shown for garment 302 in FIGS. 3A-3C conforms substantially,or approximately, to collar/collar leaf 304 in size and shape across thelongitudinal lengths and the widths of collar/collar leaf 304 (e.g.,based on the combined longitudinal lengths of body portions 302, 304,306, right gap 316 a, and left gap 316 b). In embodiments, suchconformance includes conforming, or substantially conforming, to thefront corners of collar/collar leaf 404 in the pocket(s) formed thereinby seams 412.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are now described. In FIG. 5A, a formation of a collar500A from two separate portions of material is shown, according to oneembodiment. Collar 500A may be referred to as a collar leaf inembodiments, as described herein, and may be an embodiment ofcollars/collar leaves described above.

The formation of collar 500A may be performed by joining a first collarportion 502 with a second collar portion 504. Joining may be performedby various means such as, but not limited to, sewing to form seams,adhesives, interlocking groove and ridge mechanism, hook-and-eyefasteners, zippers, magnetic strips, and/or the like. Joining may beperformed along a top edge 506 of first collar portion 502 and a topedge 508 of second collar portion 504.

Each of top edge 506 and top edge 508 described may have a longitudinallength L2 approximately based on the size of the desired collar/collarleaf. As shown, a bottom edge 510 of first collar portion 502 and abottom edge 512 of second collar portion 504 may each have alongitudinal length L1 approximately proportional to length L2, based onthe collar/collar leaf desired. First collar portion 502 and secondcollar portion 504 may be of the same, or approximately the same, sizeand shape, according to embodiments, such that a uniform collar/collarleaf is formed by the joining of thereof.

Each of first collar portion 502 and second collar portion 504 asdescribed may have a front width W1 and center width Wn which may be thesame, similar, or different based on the design of collar 500A. Inembodiments, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5A, the width of collar 500A mayvary between W1 and Wn according to the shape desired.

The formation of collar 500A shown in FIG. 5A may comprise an initialformation of a pocket therein into which a collar support device may beplaced or deposed.

In FIG. 5B, a formation of a collar 500B from two conjoined portions ofmaterial is shown, according to one embodiment. Collar 500B may bereferred to as a collar leaf in embodiments, as described herein, andmay be an embodiment of collars/collar leaves described above.

The formation of collar 500B may be performed by folding or creasing asingle collar piece 514 to form a first collar portion 514 and a secondcollar portion 516, that are conjoined and separated by a boundary 520(e.g., a crease or fold) having length L2. The creation of boundary 520from single collar piece 514 may also create a top edge of collar 500Bcorresponding to boundary 520.

As shown, a bottom edge 522 of first collar portion 516 and a bottomedge 524 of second collar portion 518 may each have a longitudinallength L1 approximately proportional to length L2, based on thecollar/collar leaf desired. First collar portion 516 and second collarportion 518 may be of the same, or approximately the same, size andshape, according to embodiments, such that a uniform collar/collar leafis formed from the folding/creasing of single collar piece 514, as shownin FIG. 5B.

Each of first collar portion 516 and second collar portion 518 asdescribed may have front width W1 and center width Wn which may be thesame, similar, or different based on the design of collar 500B. Inembodiments, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5B, the width of collar 500B mayvary between W1 and Wn according to the shape desired.

The formation of collar 500B shown in FIG. 5B may comprise an initialformation of a pocket therein into which a collar support device may beplaced or deposed.

In FIG. 6A, a collar 600A having a disposed collar support device withrespect to an initially-formed pocket at one edge of collar 600A isshown, according to one embodiment. Collar 600A may be referred to as acollar leaf in embodiments, as described herein, and may be anembodiment of collars/collar leaves described above. Collar 600A may bean embodiment of either of collar 500A of FIG. 5A or collar 500B of FIG.5B described above.

For example, collar 600A may be formed from two separate portions ofmaterial as described for collar 500A, or from two conjoined portions ofmaterial as described for collar 500B. Collar 600A may include a topedge 602 formed according to either of the joining of top edge 506 withtop edge 508 of FIG. 5A, or boundary 520 of FIG. 5B. In embodiments, asnoted above, such operations may comprise the initialization offormation of a pocket into which a collar support device 604 may beplaced or disposed.

In embodiments, collar support device 604 may be any collar supportdevice as described herein, and while a single piece collar supportdevice is shown for collar support device 604, multi-piece collarsupport devices are also contemplated in other embodiments. In suchother embodiments, the initial formation of the pocket(s) may alsoinclude additional joining of first and second collar portions (e.g., asdescribed with respect to FIGS. 5A-5B) along the axis of, and between,widths W1 to Wn. These additional joinings may be performed to formseams, or equivalents, as described above for seams 412 illustrated inFIGS. 4A-4C.

Collar 600A may be folded or closed according to an operation 606 suchthat the bottom edges of collar 600A are brought together. Operation 606may be performed either before or after collar support device 604 isplaced/disposed on collar 600A.

In FIG. 6B, a collar 600B having a disposed collar support device withrespect to an initially-formed pocket at one edge of collar 600B isshown, according to one embodiment. Collar 600B may be referred to as acollar leaf in embodiments, as described herein, and may be anembodiment of collars/collar leaves described above. Collar 600B may bean embodiment of either of collar 500A of FIG. 5A or collar 500B of FIG.5B described above, with variations described as follows.

For collar 500A of FIG. 5A and collar 500B of FIG. 5B described above,collar portions are joined at the top edge of collar 500A and collar500B respectively. However, embodiments herein also contemplateformation of collars/collar leaves along a top edge thereof. In theseembodiments, separate collar portions may be joined, as describedherein, or conjoined portions may be formed from a single piece offabric by folding or creasing, where the joining or folding/creasing isperformed for top edges of the collar/collar leaf. For instance, asshown for collar 600B of FIG. 6B, a first collar portion 608 and asecond collar portion 610 of collar 600B may have a shared edge at anadjoinment 612 that is formed along the top edges of first collarportion 608 and second collar portion 610 either by attaching firstcollar portion 608 and second collar portion 640 as described for FIG.5A or by folding/creasing a single piece of fabric as described for FIG.5B.

Accordingly, as similarly described for FIG. 6A, a collar support device614 may be placed or disposed on collar 600B. With respect to collarFIG. 6B, however, collar 600B may be folded or closed according to anoperation 616 such that the top edges of collar 600B are broughttogether. Operation 616 may be performed either before or after collarsupport device 614 is placed/disposed on collar 600B.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, further formations of collars/collarleaves having collar support devices in pockets are illustrated withcollars/collar leaves shown as being folded down from a base (not shown)as would be configured for normal wear of a garment to which thecollars/collar leaves are attached.

In FIG. 7A, a disposing diagram 700A for a collar support device withrespect to an initially-formed pocket at one edge of a collar is shown,according to an example embodiment. For instance, a collar supportdevice 702 is shown in diagram 700A that is disposed via a disposingoperation 704 into a pocket 706 of a collar/collar leaf 708.

As shown, pocket 706 of a collar/collar leaf 708 is initially formed ata top edge 710 by a seam 712, and is further formed by additional seams714 at right front and left front edges of collar/collar leaf 708.Accordingly, three edges of pocket 706 are formed, in FIG. 7A, intowhich collar support device 702 is placed or disposed.

In embodiments, collar support device 702 may be placed or disposed intopocket 706 prior to seams 714 being formed. Moreover, in embodiments,seam 712 may be a fold or crease or the like as described above in lieuof, or in addition to, a threaded joining. In still other embodiments,seams 714 and seam 712 may be created in a single operation, e.g.,sequentially, to initially form pocket 706 prior to disposing operation704 being performed.

In FIG. 7B, a disposing diagram 700B for a collar support device withrespect to an initially-formed pocket at another edge of a collar isshown, according to an example embodiment. For instance, a collarsupport device 702 is shown in diagram 700B that is disposed via adisposing operation 716 into a pocket 718 of a collar/collar leaf 720.

As shown, pocket 718 of a collar/collar leaf 720 is initially formed ata bottom edge 722 by a seam 724, and is further formed by additionalseams 726 at right front and left front edges of collar/collar leaf 720.Accordingly, three edges of pocket 718 are formed, in FIG. 7B, intowhich collar support device 702 is placed or disposed.

In embodiments, collar support device 702 may be placed or disposed intopocket 718 prior to seams 726 being formed. Moreover, in embodiments,seam 724 may be a fold or crease or the like as described above in lieuof, or in addition to, a threaded joining. In still other embodiments,seams 726 and seam 724 may be created in a single operation, e.g.,sequentially, to initially form pocket 718 prior to disposing operation716 being performed.

With respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B, disposing operation 704 and disposingoperation 716 may be enabled by one or more of a size(s) of the openingsto pocket 706 and pocket 718, respectively (such that collar supportdevice 702 may be disposed therein) and/or an amount ofrigidity/resistance to folding of the material comprising collar supportdevice 702.

In FIG. 8, an article of clothing 800 having a collar support devicedisposed in a completed pocket of a collar/collar leaf is shown,according an example embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a collar/collar leafhaving a collar support device in a pocket with the collar/collar leafshown as being folded down from a base (not shown) as would beconfigured for normal wear of a garment to which the collars/collarleaves are attached.

For instance, article of clothing 800 as shown comprises a collar/collarleaf 802 having a collar support device 804 disposed in a pocket 806thereof. Pocket 806 is illustrated as being completed by being borderedon each edge by a completed seam 808. As an illustrative example,article of clothing 800 may be an embodiment of collar/collar leaf 708of FIG. 7A or of collar/collar leaf 720 of FIG. 7B in which theunfinished side of pocket 706 or the unfinished side of pocket 718 hasbeen completed by a seam. That is, article of clothing 800 may representcompletion of disposing operation 704 and the addition of a seam to thebottom edge of collar/collar leaf 708 from FIG. 7A, or may representcompletion of disposing operation 716 and the addition of a seam to thetop edge of collar/collar leaf 720 from FIG. 7B.

In embodiments, completed seam 808 may comprise a fold or crease at thetop edge or the bottom edge of collar/collar leaf 802 in lieu of, or inaddition to, a corresponding portion of completed seam 808, as describedabove herein.

In FIG. 9, an article of clothing 900 having a collar support devicedisposed in a completed pocket of a collar/collar leaf is shown,according an example embodiment. FIG. 9 illustrates a collar/collar leafhaving a collar support device in a pocket with the collar/collar leafshown as being folded down from a base (not shown) as would beconfigured for normal wear of a garment to which the collars/collarleaves are attached.

For instance, article of clothing 900 as shown comprises a collar/collarleaf 902 having a collar support device 904 disposed in a pocket 906thereof. Pocket 906 is illustrated as being completed by being borderedon three of four edges by a seam 908 where a top edge 910 is attached toa base (not shown) at its outer-facing portion. As an illustrativeexample, article of clothing 900 may be an embodiment of collar/collarleaf 720 of FIG. 7B in which the unfinished side of pocket 718 is notclosed a seam. To this end, in embodiments where collar/collar leaf 902is formed as described in FIG. 6B, first collar portion 608 in FIG. 6Bmay correspond to an outer-facing collar portion of collar/collar leaf902 where first collar portion 608, and not second collar portion 610(i.e., the inner-facing collar portion), is connected to the basestructure that attaches the collar/collar leaf to the garment.

In other words, the inner-facing collar portion of collar/collar leaf902 remains unattached to the outer-facing collar portion and unattachedto the base, such that collar support device 904 may disposed intopocket 906 and remain encapsulated thereby, while collar support device904 may be removed from pocket 906 and later be re-disposed or replacedwith a different collar support device. Or, put another way, article ofclothing 900 may represent completion of disposing operation 716 forcollar support device 702 into collar/collar leaf 720 from FIG. 7Bwithout entirely sealing collar support device 702 into pocket 718.

In embodiments, seam 908 may comprise a fold or crease at the bottomedge of collar/collar leaf 902 in lieu of, or in addition to, acorresponding portion of seam 908, as described above herein.

As described above, embodiments herein contemplate the formation ofcollars/collar leaves for articles of clothing (e.g., garments) havingcollar support devices disposed therein for additional support andflexibility.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a flowchart 1000 for of forming an article ofclothing with a collar support device is shown, according to an exampleembodiment. Flowchart 1000 may be performed according to one or moreoperations and/or embodiments herein, e.g., to form articles of clothinghaving collar support devices disposed in pockets thereof. Flow chart1000 is described as follows and begins with step 1002.

In step 1002, a first portion of a collar and a second portion of thecollar are received. For instance, a first portion and a second portionof collar/collar leaf material may be received as illustrated in FIG. 5Aand/or FIG. 5B. In FIG. 5A, a first collar portion 502 and separate asecond collar portion 504 are received for formation of a collar/collarleaf. In FIG. 5B, a first collar portion 516 and a conjoined secondcollar portion 518 (as part of single collar piece 514) are received forformation of a collar/collar leaf. The receiving of the first portion ofa collar and the second portion of the collar may be performed accordingeither of these embodiments, or according any other embodiments and/orequivalents described herein.

In step 1004, formation of a pocket in the collar at a first edge of thecollar is initialized. For example, referring again to FIG. 5A and FIG.5B, the first and second collar portions may be joined by creating aseam, or the like, through top edge 506 and top edge 508 (e.g., as inFIG. 5A), or single collar piece 514 may be folded or creased atboundary 520 (e.g., as in FIG. 5A). In either embodiment, the first andsecond collar portions may be formed/joined to initialize creation of apocket for the collar/collar leaf. As described herein, some embodimentsprovide for initialization of pocket formation to be performed on abottom edge(s) of a collar/collar leaf (e.g., as in FIG. 6B) whichallows for disposing of a collar support device via a top edge of thecollar/collar leaf (e.g., as in FIG. 7B).

In step 1006, a collar support device that is configured to maintain atleast one of a shape or a form of the collar, and that is congruentlyshaped with respect to the first portion or the second portion, isreceived. For instance, a single- or multi-piece collar support deviceas described herein may be received for addition to or disposition in acollar/collar leaf (e.g., as in FIGS. 6A-6B and 7A-7B). As describedherein, collar support devices may be configured to maintain shapesand/or forms of collars/collar leaves, and to provide flexibility, inaddition to extra flexibility in certain portions. Collar supportdevices may also be congruently shaped in pockets formed incollars/collar leaves and substantially fill such pockets. For example,each of the Figures described above exemplarily show collar supportdevices, both single- and multi-piece collar support devices, havingsuch characteristics. In embodiments for multi-piece collar supportdevices, gaps may additionally comprise such devices such that themulti-piece collar support devices substantially fill and conform to theshapes of collars/collar leaves while the gaps provide areas of extraflexibility.

In step 1008, the collar support device is disposed in the pocket asinitially formed. For example, collar support devices may be disposed orplaced into pockets initially or partially formed in collars/collarleaves (e.g., as in FIGS. 6A-6B and 7A-7B (disposing operation 704 anddisposing operation 716)). Collar support devices may be placed ordisposed by hand or by machine techniques, in embodiments, and may bedisposed at any time during formation of a pocket prior to completionthereof (e.g., subsequent to an operation such as seam forming orfolding/creasing performed on at least one edge of a collar/collarleaf). In some embodiments, collar support devices may be disposed afteran initial formation operation but before subsequent formationoperations.

The material composition of the described collar support devicesprovides for sufficient rigidity to enable these devices to be disposedin pockets that are initialized or partially formed with three of fouredges closed, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, although it should benoted that embodiments herein also contemplate disposing collar supportdevices when an open edge of a pocket corresponds to right or left frontedge.

In step 1010, formation of the pocket is completed, where the pocket ascompletely formed contains the collar support device within and isapproximately filled by the collar support device. For instance, FIGS. 9and 10 show completed pockets of collars/collar leaves where thedisposed collar support devices are contained within the pockets, andthe pockets are substantially filled by the collar support devices asthey conform to the shape of the pockets and the collars/collar leavesillustrated. In some embodiments, a completed pocket may have all edgesthereof closed along the edges of the collar/collar leaf (as in FIG. 8),while in other embodiments a completed pocket may comprise three of fouredges being closed with the final edge has a portion of material thereofthat is attached to a base at an outer-facing side of the collar/collarleaf thus providing an open pocket that enables collar support devicesto be removed and replaced while the open portion is located on aninner-facing side of the collar/collar leaf on the inside and under thedownward fold of the collar/collar leaf from the base.

III. Embodiments for Additional Examples and Advantages

In embodiments, one or more of the steps or operations of any operation,process, and/or method described herein may not be performed. Moreover,steps or operations in addition to or in lieu of those in any operation,process, and/or method described herein may be performed. Further, inexamples, one or more operations/steps of any operation, process, and/ormethod described herein may be performed out of order, in an alternatesequence, or partially (or completely) concurrently with each other orwith other operations/steps.

As described herein, pockets may be formed using seams, but embodimentsare not so limited and pocket formation may also comprise theuse/application of interlocking groove and ridge mechanisms,hook-and-eye fasteners, zippers, magnetic strips, and/or the like.

In the current state of the art, collar stays are made of stiff plasticmaterials, or metal, that rigidly conform for a specific, straight shapein order to prevent corners of collars from being folded, creased, orotherwise deformed. Additionally, collar stays are only applied to thefront corners of collars. The embodiments herein provide for materials,e.g., silicone-based materials, which provide support and structuralshape, conforming to substantially an entire collar/collar leaf, whilealso allowing flexibility throughout the entire collar/collar leaf.Furthermore, the embodiments herein for collar support devices alsoprovide for additional flexibility at specific locations of the entirecollar/collar leaf.

Similarly, the use of additional layers of garment material/fabric incollars/collar leaves is different from the described embodiments.First, the embodiments herein provide for a different combination offlexibility and support via materials with characteristics that improvethe performance of the described collar support devices, and describedcollar support devices are included in pockets formed in collars/collarleaves. Moreover, embodiments provide for removable and replaceablecollar support devices, which cannot be performed with garmentmaterials/fabrics to substantially conform to and fill pockets incollars/collar leaves (while still providing improved support,resistance to creasing, and flexibility). Still further, the embodimentsherein do not require the use of wires, stiffening solutions, oradhesives unlike additional fabric layers, and the described embodimentsdo not require that collar support devices have seams formed such thatthe seams are in or through (e.g., perforate) the material of the collarsupport devices themselves.

Current solutions for support and structural maintenance of garmentsfocus on the base or stand that attach collars to garments. In starkcontrast, the collar support devices in the described embodimentsprovide support and structure substantially throughout the collar/collarleaf itself rather than the base/stand.

While the described embodiments provide for collar support devices,e.g., for collars/collar leaves that are attached to a base or a standof a shirt, other applications of support devices are also contemplatedherein for different types of collars/collar leaves, different types ofgarments, and different parts of garments, e.g., cuffs, waist bands,garment portions including buttons and/or button holes, etc.

Turning now to material properties for collar support devices, variousproperties and characteristics are described above. Provided below areadditional descriptions of example properties and characteristics.

Garment materials, e.g., for collared shirts, may range in thicknessfrom very thin (e.g., approximately 0.17 mm) to very thick (e.g.,approximately 0.4 mm). As noted herein, collar support device materialsmay be used that correlate to garment fabric thicknesses. For instance,a collar support device with less thickness may be used for a thinnergarment material, while a collar support device with more thickness maybe used for a thicker garment material. The garment material thicknessexamples provided above may have an approximate average thickness ofabout 0.28-0.29 mm, and in such cases a collar support device thicknessof approximately 1.0 mm may be used (although the described embodimentsare not so limited and different embodiments allow for variation in thisthickness value).

Materials for collar support devices may have an average tensilestrength (e.g., at a load of 50 lbs with a constant speed of 20 in/min)of approximately 1,280 psi (with a standard deviation of about 50), andmay have an ultimate elongation of approximately 544% (with a standarddeviation of about 16), at approximately 23° C. and 50% relativehumidity. Materials for collar support devices may have an average tearstrength under similar conditions of approximately 96.5 lbf/in (with astandard deviation of about 4.5). Additionally, materials for collarsupport devices may have an average specific gravity and density ofapproximately 1.18 (e.g., density in g/cubic cm), in embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows plots 1100 of a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) in the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode for an example,silicone-based collar support device material.

FIG. 12 shows plots 1200 of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) foran example, silicone-based collar support device material. DSC measuresthe temperature and heat flow associated with transitions in materialsas a function of time and temperature. Plots 1200 represent DSC resultsfor an example, silicone-based collar support device material heatedfrom −80° C. to 50° C. and control cooled to −80° C. at 10° C./min in anitrogen purge.

FIG. 13 shows plots 1300 of a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for anexample, silicone-based collar support device material. TGA is a thermalanalysis technique that measures the amount and rate of change in theweight of a material as a function of temperature or time in acontrolled atmosphere.

IV. Conclusion

While various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood bythose skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the embodiments as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, thebreadth and scope of the disclosed subject matter should not be limitedby any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should bedefined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of clothing comprising: a collar thatincludes: a first collar portion; a second collar portion adjoined withthe first collar portion; a first collar edge formed from a firstadjoined section of the first collar portion and the second collarportion, and having a first longitudinal length corresponding to a shapeof the collar; a second collar edge formed from adjacent outer sectionsof the first collar portion and the second collar portion, and having asecond longitudinal length corresponding to the shape of the collar, thesecond collar edge being located opposite from, and not being in contactwith, the first collar edge; and an interior pocket bordered by thefirst collar edge and the second collar edge; and a collar supportdevice, configured to maintain at least one of a shape or a form of thecollar, that includes: a plurality of collar structure pieces, each ofthe plurality of collar structure pieces respectively comprising: atleast one width approximately spanning a distance between the firstcollar edge and the second collar edge, and a length that is less thanhalf of either of the first longitudinal length and the secondlongitudinal length; the interior pocket being configured to contain thecollar support device.
 2. The article of clothing of claim 1, whereinthe respective at least one width of each of the plurality of collarstructure pieces is varied corresponding to the shape of the interiorpocket of collar at locations for which the collar support device iscontained.
 3. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of collar structure pieces has a piece thickness that isproportional to a material thickness of a material of the collaraccording to a proportion factor.
 4. The article of clothing of claim 1,wherein the plurality of collar structure pieces each comprise aflexible silicone-based material.
 5. The article of clothing of claim 1,wherein the interior pocket is sealed to contain the collar supportdevice by the adjacent outer sections of the first collar portion andthe second collar portion being a second adjoined section.
 6. Thearticle of clothing of claim 1, wherein the article of clothingcomprises a wearable garment to which the collar is affixed.
 7. Anarticle of clothing comprising: a collar that includes: a first collarportion; a second collar portion adjoined with the first collar portion;a first collar edge formed from a first adjoined section of the firstcollar portion and the second collar portion, and having a firstlongitudinal length corresponding to a shape of the collar; a secondcollar edge formed from adjacent outer sections of the first collarportion and the second collar portion, and having a second longitudinallength corresponding to the shape of the collar; and an interior pocketbordered by the first collar edge and the second collar edge; and acollar support device, configured to maintain at least one of a shape ora form of the collar, that includes: a first support edge with a thirdlongitudinal length corresponding to a first portion of the interiorpocket at the first collar edge; a second support edge with a fourthlongitudinal length corresponding to a second portion of the interiorpocket at the second collar edge; and at least one width approximatelyspanning a distance between the first collar edge and the second collaredge; the interior pocket being configured to contain the collar supportdevice.
 8. The article of clothing of claim 7, wherein the at least onewidth is varied corresponding to the shape of the interior pocket ofcollar at locations for which the collar support device is contained. 9.The article of clothing of claim 7, wherein the collar support devicehas a device thickness that is proportional to a material thickness of amaterial of the collar according to a proportion factor.
 10. The articleof clothing of claim 7, wherein the plurality of collar structure pieceseach comprise a flexible silicone-based material.
 11. The article ofclothing of claim 7, wherein the collar support device includes at leastone of: one or more sets of recessed portions of a material of thecollar support device configured to increase flexibility of the collarsupport device at locations thereof; one or more sets of cut-outportions configured to increase flexibility of the collar support deviceat locations thereof; or one or more sets of woven material insertsconfigured to increase flexibility of the collar support device atlocations thereof.
 12. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein atleast one of the one or more sets of cut-out portions or the one or moresets of woven material inserts are aligned approximately parallel to thefirst collar edge or the second collar edge.
 13. The article of clothingof claim 7, wherein the interior pocket is sealed to contain the collarsupport device.
 14. A method of forming an article of clothing,comprising: receiving a first portion of a collar and a second portionof the collar; initializing formation of a pocket in the collar at afirst edge of the collar; receiving a collar support device that isconfigured to maintain at least one of a shape or a form of the collar,and that is approximately congruently shaped with respect to the firstportion or the second portion; and disposing the collar support devicein the pocket as initially formed, the pocket as completely formedcontaining the collar support device within and being approximatelyfilled by the collar support device for one or more portions of thepocket in which the collar structure is disposed.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the collar support device comprises a flexiblesilicone-based material and is formed as a contiguous collar supportdevice or as a two or more collar structure pieces.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the single collar support device includes: one or moresets of recessed portions of a material of the collar support deviceconfigured to increase flexibility of the collar support device atlocations thereof, one or more sets of cut-out portions configured toincrease flexibility of the collar support device at locations thereof,or one or more sets of woven material inserts configured to increaseflexibility of the collar support device at locations thereof; orwherein the plurality of collar structure pieces, when disposed in thepocket, are configured to have one or more spacings respectivelytherebetween, and a combined longitudinal length of the plurality ofcollar structure pieces and the one or more spacings is approximatelyequal to a longitudinal length of the pocket.
 17. The method of claim15, wherein the one or more sets of cut-out portions, the one or moresets of woven material inserts, or the one or more spacings are inrespective locations that increase flexibility of the collar supportdevice when the article of clothing is folded or is hung from a hanger.18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: forming the collarsupport device.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprisingcompleting formation of the pocket by at least one of: permanentlysealing the pocket; or applying a sealing device configured to be openedand closed.
 20. The method of claim 14, further comprising: attaching atleast one of the first portion or the second portion to wearablegarment.